Automatically signaling delivery box



Sept. 27, 1966 A. A. GOLLA AUTOMATICALLY SIGNALING DELIVERY BOX Filed Oct. 2, 1964 Fig.2

Anthony A. Gal/a INVEN TOR.

United States Patent O 3,275,228 AUTQMATICALLY SIGNALING DELIVERY BOX Anthony A. Golla, 14375 W. Froedtert Drive, Elm Grove, Wis. Filed Oct. 2, 1964, Ser. No. 401,037 1 Claim. (Cl. 232-34) This invention generally relates to new and useful improvements in delivery boxes particularly although not necessarily for newspapers and has for its primary object to provide, in the manner as hereinafter set forth, a receptacle of this character comprising novel means for automatically indicating whether a newspaper has been deposited in said receptacle.

Another highly important object of the present invention is to provide an automatic signal or indicator of the character described which may be incorporated for use in a substantially conventional tubular newspaper box or receptacle without the necessity of making material structural alterations therein.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide an improved box of the aforementioned character wherein the signal automatically retracts when the newspaper is removed.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a newspaper box or receptacle of the character set forth wherein the signal, when in retracted position, is enclosed in said box and fully protected from the weather.

Other objects are to provide a newspaper delivery box which is comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a pant hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, showing a box embodying the present invention with the signal in operative position;

FIGURE 2 is a view in vertical longitudinal section through the box, showing the signal in retracted position; and

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises an elongated tubular cylinder receptacle 4 of suitable length and diameter. The receptacle or tube 4 is preferably but not necessarily of metal. The receptacle 4 is mounted horizontally on a suitable support 6 in the usual manner.

As shown to advantage in FIGURE 2 of the drawing, the receptacle 4 includes a closed end 8 and an open end 10 for the reception of a newspaper, as indicated at 12. The open end portion 10 of the receptacle 4 is rolled in a manner to provide a protective bead 14 which defines an angular groove or channel 16. Adjacent the closed end 8 thereof, the receptacle 4 has formed in its lower portion a circumferentially elongated opening 18.

An automatic signal or indicator 20 is mounted for operation in the receptacle 4. The signal 20 comprises a flat spring 22 of suitable resilient metal which is normally in the rearwardly and upwardly inclined position shown in full lines in FIGURE 2 of the drawing. The spring 22, which extends longitudinally in the receptacle 4, in-

ice

cludes an :angularly bent forward end portion 24 which is rigidly secured in the lower front portion of the receptacle 4 by suitable fasteners 26. Portion 24 of the spring 22 terminates in a downwardly bent free end portion 28 which is engaged in the groove 16 in a manner to be shielded by the head 14 whereby no obstruction is presented at this point when the newspaper 12 is inserted in the receptacle.

The other or rear end portion of the spring 22 is bent at substantially right angles to provide what may be considered a downwardly extending hook or the like 30 which is operable in opening 18. The hook 30 terminates in an actuately and forwardly bent free end portion providing a bill or limit stop 32 which is engageable beneath the receptacle 4 as shown. A rearwardly facing reflective button 34 is mounted on the hook 30.

It is thought that the openation of the invention will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, as hereinbefore indicated, the signal or indicator 20, when the receptacle 4 is empty, is in the position of FIGURE 2 of the drawing. When the rolled newspaper 12 is inserted in the open end 10 of the receptacle 4, the leading end of the rolled newspaper engages and forcibly cams the spring 22 downwardly, thus lowering the hook 30 with the reflective button 34 thereon through the opening 18 to the operative position indicated in dashed lines in FIGURE 2 of the drawing. As will be apparent, the lowered signal may be clearly seen from a considerable distance especially at night when light rays from any source strike the reflective button 34. As usual, the receptacle 4 is slightly tapered toward its closed end 8. When the newspaper is removed from the receptacle 4 thereby freeing the spring 22, the signal 20 immediately returns to its retracted position in said receptacle.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly lall suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

In combination, a rural newspaper box comprising an elongated tubular receptacle closed at a rearward end and open at its forward end and adapted for slidab'ly receiving and retaining therein a newspaper, said receptacle having a bottom wall provided adjacent the closed end of the receptacle with a delivery indicating signal opening, an elongated =leaf spring located within the confines of said receptacle and having a forward end secured to said bottom wall and its body portion normally inclining upwardly and rearwardly toward said closed rear end and adapted to be cammed and pressed downwardly when a newspaper is inserted into the receptacle, the rear end portion of said springihaving an angularly bent downwardly directed angular member aligned with and projectable and retractible relative to said opening, said angular member being provided with a reflective surface normally confined within the receptacle and pro jectable through and beyond the opening when a newspaper has been fully deposited in said receptacle, the lower end of said angular spring member being bent to provide a laterally directed exteriorly arranged terminal portion providing a limit stop, said limit stop, by reason of the inherent resiliency of said leaf spring, being normally 3 engaged with said bottom Wall and serving to govern travel of the signaling and reflective surface through said opening into said receptacle.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 969,038 8/1910 Carrnony 23234 1,207,101 12/1916 Wade 232-34 1,334,106 3/1920 Mackey 232-34 Landis 232-45 X Shaw 23234 White 23217 X Stevenson 232--3 4 Miller 232-17 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. FRANCIS K. ZUGEL, Examiner. J. S. PETRIE, Assistant Examiner. 

